Module 1
Introduction to Information
and Communication
Technologies
Lesson 3
What are the Hardware Components
of a Computer?
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
1
Rationale
The hardware components are
the tangible components of the
computer. A knowledge of the tangible
components will enable you to
understand how the parts relate to one
another. It will also help you
troubleshoot when you meet problems
in operating computers.
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
2
Scope
What is hardware?
What is an input device?
What is a processor?
What is an output device?
What is a storage device?
What other hardware is found in a
computer?
What are some general trends in the
development of computers?
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
3
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
Identify the hardware components of a personal
computer system
List major input and output devices
Explain the functions of processing, memory,
storage and communication devices
Realize the significance of each hardware
component in processing information
Identify general trends in the development of the
different hardware components of a computer
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4
What is Hardware?
Hardware is the physical component of a
computer system. It refers to the
electromechanical parts and devices that
make up a computer.
Generally, hardware is categorized
according to which of the five basic
computer operation it performs:
o
o
o
o
o
Input devices
Processors and memory
Output devices
Secondary storage devices
Communications / networking devices
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What are Input Devices?
Input hardware is used to enter
data into a computer by encoding via
keyboard, direct reading through
scanners or pointing devices like the
mouse. Input hardware converts data,
e.g. text, image, drawings, into a form
that a computer can understand and
use.
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Input Devices
mouse
joystick
touch tablet
trackball
hand-held
scanner
keyboard
flatbed scanner
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The Outside and Inside of
the Computer Housing
Front
Rear
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
Inside
8
Other Components Inside
the Housing
Bus cables
The system board
connects the CPU and
other components of
the computer.
The housing or casing protects and
holds the parts of the computer
together.
Expansion cards are circuit boards that
provide more memory or control
peripheral devices such as video adapter
cards, network interface cards, …
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
Power
supply
9
What is the Processor?
Intel Celeron Processor
Motherboard
The Motherboard houses the processor and other
components of the computer
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10
What is Memory?
The computer’s workspace where
application instructions and data are held
during operation is called memory, also
known as main memory, primary storage
or RAM (Random Access Memory).
The capacity of a memory is important
because this is where data and programs
are stored while they are active, thus
bigger memory means bigger workspace.
Whatever data is held in the RAM is
erased when the computer is reset or the
power is turned off.
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The Random Access
Memory (RAM)
The amount of
memory available
determines the kind of
software that can be
run and how much
data can be
manipulated. The
available RAM at
present is 32 MB, 64
MB, 128 MB, 256 MB
or more.
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Read Only Memory (ROM)
Aside from the RAM, the
computer also has a ROM (Read only
memory) which is used to store the
boot program and other low-level
information that enables the computer
to start up and to recognize its
hardware parts.
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Output Devices
Hardware used to display/ produce
the output of the computer system
after processing data
The output of computer processing is
the usable information that the user
requires. This information can be
presented to the user in a variety of
forms, depending on the output
device.
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Output Devices
Main output
devices are
monitors for
displaying the
output and
printers for
producing a
permanent
copy.
CRT monitor
Flat panel
Laser
printer
UNESCO EIPICT Module 1. Lesson 3
Speakers
15
What are Storage Devices?
The hardware used to retain data for future
use is called a storage device. These
devices may be found inside or outside the
computer.
There are different kinds of storage
devices. Among these are optical devices
(CD-ROM, DVD), and magnetic devices
(tapes, disks).
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Examples of Storage Devices
Magnetic: Hard
disk, Floppy disk,
Zip disk, Jaz disk,
tapes
Optical--CD-ROM,
DVD (Digital
Versatile Disk)
Rewritable CDs
and DVDs
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Communications Devices
Communications hardware, also called
networking devices, is used to extend the
processing capabilities of a computer
system by providing a means of
transferring data and applications from one
computer system to another.
Communications hardware is used to link
to existing communication networks like the
Internet that allow electronic transfer of
information anytime, anywhere.
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Communications Channels
Wired links
o
o
o
Twisted-Pair (TP) Wires
Coaxial Cable
Fiber-optic cables
Links Without Wires
o
o
Microwave Signals
Communications Satellites
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Conclusion
Hardware is
the physical part of
the computer. Each
component
performs a specific
function that
contributes to the
performance of the
whole system.
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